PowWow Energy has developed technology that enables farmers and ranchers to quickly detect water leaks that can destroy an entire crop or cause thousands of dollars of damage. (PRNewsFoto/Cleantech Open) (PRNewsFoto/CLEANTECH OPEN)

PowWow Energy has developed technology that enables farmers and ranchers to quickly detect water leaks that can destroy an entire crop or cause thousands of dollars of damage. (PRNewsFoto/Cleantech Open) (PRNewsFoto/CLEANTECH OPEN)

PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- The Cleantech Open (www.cleantechopen.org), the world's largest clean-technology accelerator, has awarded PowWow Energy of Sunnyvale, California the Grand Prize "Cleanie" award for the Top Cleantech Entrepreneur of the year. PowWow Energy has developed technology that enables farmers and ranchers to quickly detect water leaks that can destroy an entire crop or cause thousands of dollars of damage. Two runners-up were also selected: HJ3 Composite Technologies and Bio-Adhesive Alliance.

The announcements were made in San Jose at the Cleantech Open Global Forum, the "Academy Awards of Cleantech," which marked the grand finale of this year's Cleantech Open Accelerator and the culmination of the 2013 Cleantech Open Global Ideas Competition. San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, who has played a key role in promoting the vibrant Silicon Valley cleantech industry and has been a vocal supporter of the Cleantech Open, kicked off the awards ceremony.

"Congratulations to the 2013 winners and finalists, which represent the best in early-stage cleantech innovation and viable solutions to some of the world's toughest challenges," said Rex Northen, executive director of the Cleantech Open. "I would also like to express our huge appreciation of our sponsors, who make the Cleantech Open possible, and to thank the army of volunteers who power the world's largest cleantech accelerator."

Chevron has supported the Cleantech Open Global Forum in San Jose for the past three years and has been a Global Partner to the Cleantech Open since 2009. Chevron's subsidiary, Chevron Energy Solutions, partners with cities like San Jose and school districts across the country to develop renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that save money, reduce emissions and enhance resiliency.

The Grand Prize winner was selected from among the five national category finalists:

Agriculture, Water and Waste — Polymer Green (Western region), which has developed the first available clean solution to process landfill waste plastic.

Energy Generation — Helion Energy (Pacific Northwest region), which is dedicated to making practical and affordable fusion energy a reality.

Green Building — Bio-Adhesive Alliance (Southeast region), which produces low-cost and durable adhesive from swine manure that can be utilized as a substitute to petroleum-based asphalt.

Chemicals and Advanced Materials — HJ3 Composite Technologies (Rocky Mountain region), which manufactures, engineers, and installs advanced composite systems that have been used on over 10,000 successful applications worldwide.

This year's National Sustainability Award goes to Garden Fresh Farms, which is building a nationwide network of investor-owned, inner-city indoor hydroponic farms. The runner-up in this category was Grannus, has developed the Eureaka Process™, a disruptive innovation in the production of nitrogen fertilizer (urea).

The Cleantech Open's Sustainability Program strives to highlight the relevance of sustainability and promote sustainable business principles and practices throughout all Cleantech Open activities. The primary goal is to give all the teams in the accelerator the tools and motivation to embed sustainability into every aspect of their company. Each team receives specific mentoring to ensure triple-bottom-line business practices are considered during business planning, and embedded into all aspects of the organizations' operations. Teams are judged on how well they describe and quantify the net environmental, economic and social benefits/impacts of their cleantech application, and how well the team describes and quantifies the environmental, economic, and social responsibility and impacts of their operations in manufacturing and providing their technology or service.

ABOUT THE CLEANTECH OPEN

The Cleantech Open runs the world's largest cleantech accelerator. Its mission is to find, fund and foster entrepreneurs with big ideas that address today's most urgent energy, environmental and economic challenges. A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, the Cleantech Open provides the infrastructure, expertise and strategic relationships that turn clever ideas into successful global cleantech companies. Since 2006, through its one-of-a-kind annual business competition and mentorship program, the Cleantech Open has enabled 727 cleantech startups to bring their breakthrough ideas to fruition, helped its alumni companies raise more than $800M in external capital, and created thousands of green-collar jobs. Fueled by a global network of more than 1,500 volunteers and sponsors, the Cleantech Open unites the public and private sectors in a shared vision for making America's and the world's cleantech sectors a thriving economic engine. For more information, visit www.cleantechopen.org, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

THE SPONSORS WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE

The Cleantech Open is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors and partners, including Global Partner, Chevron; National Education Partner, University of Phoenix; National Premier Sponsor, Wells Fargo; and National Sponsor, PARC. Regionally, the programs are additionally supported by the following corporate partners: Cleantech Innovations New England, Commercial Energy, Deloitte, Faegre Baker Daniels, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, National Grid, NYSERDA, Pacific Gas & Electric, and many others.